Archive for the ‘Pat Garlits’ tag

Don Garlits, the greatest drag racer that the straight-line motorsport has ever known, never operated completely alone. From countless Top Fuel triumphs, to crashes and breakage, to a clutch explosion that led him to reinvent the dragster, Big Daddy had his wife, Pat, by his side. That has sadly changed. Pat Garlits died this past weekend after an extended illness.

“My dear wife of nearly 61 years left this world and went over to the other side,” Don told us. “She has been suffering a lot these last few days, and it was a blessing to see God take her into His care. I will miss her very badly, but will be with her sooner than I realize, as time is very different here that over there.”

Patricia Louise Bieger Garlits was born in Covington, Kentucky. By her side when she passed away were her and Don’s two daughters, GayLyn Capitano and Donna Garlits, plus her sister Sharon Keppel and granddaughter Anna Capitano. Arrangements call for a memorial service this Saturday at 2 p.m., to be held at the Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 2255 S.E. 38th St. in the Garlits family’s hometown of Ocala, Florida. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Pat’s memory to World Vision. You can call 888-511-6519 and provide the code number 105429636 to make the donation.